Susan French

Susan French
Born
Susan French Moultrie

(1912-01-23)January 23, 1912
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
DiedApril 6, 2003(2003-04-06) (aged 91)
Santa Monica, California, U.S.
EducationAmerican Academy of Dramatic Arts
Occupations
  • Actress
  • puppeteer
Years active1965–1997
Spouse(s)Donald Richard French
Eliot (or Eliott) William Smith

Susan French Moultrie (January 23, 1912[citation needed] – April 6, 2003) was an American stage, television, and film actress and puppeteer

Early years

French was born in 1912 in Los Angeles, and was the daughter of Lloyd Moultrie, a show-business lawyer. She was a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and the Marlborough School in Los Angeles.

Career

French appeared in two Broadway plays early in her career and worked in radio, as well as a photographic stylist for three national magazines. She and her sister worked as riveters for the Douglas Aircraft Company during World War II, and she helped start a theater group there.

French appeared in the TV movie People Like Us (1990). She also played the roles of Mrs. Shaw in the 1979 TV movie Captain America II: Death Too Soon, and Bessie Gilmore in The Executioner's Song (1982). French acted in the soap opera Bare Essence (1982–1983) and appeared in episodes of The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, Dallas, Falcon Crest, The Colbys, L.A. Law, Little House on the Prairie, Moonlighting, Quantum Leap, Perfect Strangers, Remington Steele, and Star Trek: The Next Generation. Her final television appearance was in an episode of Picket Fences. In addition, she had a recurring role on the CBS TV series Cagney & Lacey as Mrs. Skimmins.

French appeared in Universal's 1980 film Somewhere in Time, starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour, and her other film credits include The Impossible Years (1968), Jaws 2 (1978), House (1985), The Verne Miller Story (1987), Flatliners (1990) and Younger and Younger (1993).

Her last film role was in the live-action version of Fist of the North Star (1995).

Recognition

The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films designated her as the best supporting actress for her performance in Somewhere in Time.

Personal life and death

After her divorce from Donald Richard French, she married Eliot (or Eliott) William Smith in New York City on September 17, 1943. She died in Santa Monica, California, on April 6, 2003, aged 91.

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1968The Impossible YearsMiss Hammer
1969JustineClerkUncredited
1973The StingLandladyUncredited
1974Airport 1975Violet - PassengerUncredited
1975The HindenburgMiss GrantUncredited
1978Jaws 2Old Lady
1980Somewhere in TimeOlder Elise
1985HouseAunt Elizabeth
1987The Verne Miller StoryBearded Lady
1990FlatlinersTerminal Woman
1992Exiled in AmericaOld Lady
1993Younger and YoungerGrace
1995Fist of the North StarOld Woman

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1980Honor Thy EldersMrs. Morgan
1988 Perfect Strangers Mrs. Van Wisser S3, E20
1992Star Trek: The Next GenerationSev Maylor
1993Grace Under FireLady in bathroom

References

  1. 1 2 3 North, Gary (April 20, 2003). "Susan French". Variety. Archived from the original on 29 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  2. ↑ Lentz, Harris M. III (2004). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2003: Film, Television, Radio, Theatre, Dance, Music, Cartoons and Pop Culture. McFarland. ISBN 9780786417568. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  3. 1 2 "Mrs. S. M. French Army Man's Bride: Former Susan Moultrie Wed to Lieut. Elllott W. Smith in Church of St, Nicholas". The New York Times. September 18, 1943. p. 18.
  4. ↑ "Film Festivals". Hollywood Studio Magazine. March 1981. p. 45. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Lieut. Eliot Smith Wed in New York". Sunday New Yorker. New York, Poughkeepsie. September 19, 1943. p. 1 A. Retrieved July 15, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.